This place is so good. Quick and easy for lunch. Tiramisu to die for. Other pastries are fresh and delicious as well!

I was a first timer. I'd passed the restaurant several times and decided to give it a try. I ordered the caprese and was totally satisfied. My food was great. read more

Absolutely horrible. This place used to be great. I lived down the street, and wold walk over 3-4 times a week. They had nothing. I did get some cookies, 2 kinds. I threw them away. One was made with musty or moldy ingredients. The other was vile and tasteless. I also bought a brownie. Threw it away too. I don't know if it's new owners or old product. I'll never go back! Yuck! read more

The place is old, but as everyone knows, old might mean good and good is all of this bakery is about. Do you want to experience history eating food, specially desserts? Here is where you should go! My special compliment to the delicious pizza slice that is so big and I couldn't finish by myself. The lentils soup is algo amazing! read more

This is a wonderful old style Italian food restaurant restaurant. I had pasta a fajoili, it was wonderful and came with warm fresh Italian bread. My husband had the cheese lasagna and livedd it. I wonder if they sell theiir marinara sauce because it was delicious. Of course we bought a few items from the bakery. The biscottis were perfect. I recommend this place for a dElicious casual lunch. read more

This is my favorite place for lunch when I'm in the Medical District. the food is great and the deserts are even better. I bring cookies and deserts from there to close friends. read more

This review is purely based on customer service. Little did I know when I bought the groupon that I wasn't just paying for a dozen cannoli, oh no... I was also buying the opportunity to be mean mugged the whole time by employees. The moment I walked in, I wasn't greeted, smiled at, or even acknowledged. Instead, the girl that was behind the counter glared at me until someone from the back came and helped who said "did you want something?" ... No, I just came in to fucking do nothing and stare back at your dumb asses. The experience didn't get any better from there, as I was cashed out by a server who could not be any more disinterested in being there. Needless to say, I will not be back because there is no way I'm supporting the wages of all these useless teens. ......... PS. The cannoli were fucking amazing. :-( read more

The bakery is located in a really busy street, pretty hard to find parking but if you look hard you may be able to get one. The insides of the shop looks a little bit... ancient. This is similar to some chain bakeries like Goldilocks (not sure if they have this chain in Chicago), the walls are all glass, a lot of glass display cases for the pastries and the furniture is just so-so (well I don't think anyone paid too much attention on their chairs anyway). There's an interesting sign stating that the store has been around for awhile and I would believe it (the decor looks a little old) I tried to order some food but the cashier said the only thing they have are cold sandwiches (Saturday noon and this is all you have?) The owner overheard and tried to correct her, just cold sandwiches and spaghetti. (maybe not., the guy around the corner is eating spaghetti and it doesn't look appetizing). So we just tried some of the sandwiches they have. Not bad, decent. I still feel miffed about that cashier trying to convince us that there was no hot food (why did I get a meatball sandwich huh? Isn't that hot food?) I just came here to try out their cannoli and it was just alright. It was good just not spectacularly good (yes I have had several cannolis from various places before). I could still say that still the best cannoli I have ever had is from the Bay Area. read more

Very disappointed withe the antipasto salad. I counted maybe 4 pieces of small salami in a huge bowl of lettuce. They did have ALOT of fresh mozzarella, but the meat to cheese balance was off, and very disappointing. I hate to complain, but i threw 3/4 of salad away read more

The Signature Cannoli Cake! This cake is so delicious. A yellow cake with strawberries, Italian custard, cannoli cream and whipped cream. Mama Mia! This cake is great! Whenever I throw myself a party, I place the order for my cake here at Ferrara's Bakery in Little Italy. They have NEVER messed up my order. Even though the cake is huge and can serve up to 30 people, I never have any left-overs! Everyone loves this cake! Ferrara's Bakery also has a nice deli and they make other delicious cakes and pastries. You know, you can even create your own cake! They have a wonderful website that is very impressive, informative and descriptive. read more

Maybe I made the mistake ordering a carrot cake from an Italian bakery and not the cannoli cake or something....but why offer something if it tastes so bad? I ordered a huge carrot cake for my sister's birthday and brought it to the family gathering. SO embarassing! I watched as everyone politely took a bite or two and then quietly set it down on the table. I could not believe what I tasted, is that hint of cardboard? or gym shoe? My favorite part was when I cut a few slices out of it and there was some sort of cake structural damage that had been filled up with frosting. Literally, a hole the size of my fist out of the top 2 layers that had been filled with that tasteless cream cheese frosting. I'm confused, did the dog get to this cake first? Why the heck didn't I just go to Weber's? read more

Things were just ok. I actually felt like I was bugging the girl behind the counter by asking questions about the different pastries so I just quickly ordered a few cookies. I agree that the cookies weren't anything to sing about. I don't think I would make a special trip to the area for this bakery. read more

Okay, My grandmother clearly makes the best red sauce in the world. She is my Italian grandmother and there is no comparison. So, to make me happy with a real good bolognese? WOW! A big bowl of pasta with red sauce, bread, and salad for like $6 and the pasta is for reals, the bomb. Francescas? Rose Bud? Tuscany? (Yes, Tuscany) Crap. Crap. Crap. Ferrara has a great, authentic bolognese that tastes like its been on the stove for a good 6-8 hours before served with a very generous serving of pasta. Add a meatball or an italian sausage and you have yourself a great meal, for under $10. Do be careful, when you walk in and order, there is some 30-40ft worth of display case with cookies and desserts galore! Again, the biscotti, nothing can compare to my grandma's but this stuff is good. I could eat them by the pound. And the cannoli cake? WOW! Another favorite. This should be anybody's staple joint if you are in the area. Because its really good food time after time. The service just leaves you wanting a little more. I feel like the girls behind the counter are often really impatient. And there was a time I stood at the counter for like 4 minutes, as I needed a spoon (any proper italian knows pasta is eaten with a spoon) while an owner (male) stood on the other side of the counter and decided just to not acknowledge me until, oh, I don't know, he was good and ready? Yea, not cool. Anyways, the food is awesome. Desserts are dangerously amazing. read more

I had a banana creme boat and was not that impressed with the pastry part nor the creme part. The lady kindly gave us some cookies gratis (neon pink, green and yellow ones), but I liked those even less, one bite was enough for me. I really wanted to like it but sorry, I just didn't. To make matters worse, my friend waited for quite a while at the counter and they seemed to help everybody but him, until he finally have up and sat back down with me. read more

A chicago institution! I think this maybe affiliated with Ferrara Pan Candy located in Forest Park. I think both were started by the same family but I could be wrong. Who cares? This is a great little place. I'm not much of a sweet girl so this place for me is all about the sammies, focaccia and pizza. You cannot go wrong with any of these! Trust me, my middle name should be bread...or yeast...or gluten. Whatever! I adore anything this place creates with a bread base. I know it's a bakery but they really are a legit place for lunch. Ya, the service is often surly and slow but I still think their food makes up for it. read more

I was in the area looking for some coffee and a place to study, and this was nearby. Latte was good and cannoli was delicious. Very reasonable prices. I will definitely be back to try more of the cookies and pastries! Only downside is that they close at 4:30pm on weekdays. read more

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For some reason when I saw the address on Taylor I figured it was east of Ashland, and then realized that this was actually west of Damen! I made the trek out even though my Groupon was expired so that I could try out some of these pastries. I understand I was a couple of hours away from closing time, so they had already run out of a lot of stuff. I missed out on tiramisu and probably many other more popular items. It was also the day before the 4th and they were selling the goods at 50% off to reduce inventory and avoid tossing stuff out. I got the apple tarte, carrot cake, and the strawberry shortcake. I think these are all a little more on the sweeter side for me, which is a little too much. I like that the place also sells other food items like sandwiches, salads, pizza, and other entrees. The prices are very reasonable and the staff is pretty quick and efficient. read more

This place is cute the first time you go: it's got Italian food, cute chairs and tables, some old school Italians in pictures on the wall....Basically, it's the most charming place in an area surrounded by the VA and the Juvenile Court. BUT, where Ferrara's FAILS miserably (and hence, my 1 star review) is their SERVICE. Ferrara for some reason is hell-bent on finding the rudest and most incompetent late-adolescent girls to work at their establishment. Now, when I say rude and incompetent, I mean: rude and incompetent. These girls channel every horrible telephone operator you have ever had the displeasure of talking with and are able to surprisingly WORSEN the experience by the fact that they are what stand between you and your precious food. I'll have to admit: the food is alright. But the disinterested girl who has stains all over her shirt and is shuffling over to my table with it? No thanks. I already lost my appetite... read more

I bought a cannoli to take home for after dinner on a Tuesday morning and immediately came down with a case of flu and did not get to the cannoli until Saturday. I opened it thinking I would just take a little bite to find out whether it was worth getting again and throw it out. To my surprise the cannoli was still crisp, the filling was still fresh tasting and delightful. Very impressive. I also bought one of the big boxes of mixed cookies, biscotti, candy, etc. I was not overly impressed. I was expecting buttery butter cookies, tasty biscotti and found everything was a little under sugary, not very buttery and quite blah. read more

A quality Italian bakery. I was here yesterday, about 8 minutes before their 6:30pm closing time. I came specifically to try their cannoli ($2.25). They didn't have any left in the case, but they offered to make one on the spot for me. In the meantime, I took a look around. They have so many different Italian cookies to choose from, I ended up getting two, a lemon knot and an Amaretto meringue type cookie (I don't remember the exact names). The cookies are $9.99 and two cookies were $1.09 by weight. I ate the cannoli about 25 minutes later. The filling was spot on, perfect. The shell, however, was way too thick and unbelievably crunchy, not in a good way. I like a crispy, fresh cannoli shell, but it needs to be thinner to be enjoyable. Also, the ends are dipped in peanuts. I am really used to the pistachios on the end, so it seemed a bit of a downgrade. On the plus side, the cookies were amazing. The lemon knot especially - I loved it because it was straight-forward lemon. Many times I have bitten into a lemon knot and have had an anise aftertaste, which is not something I look forward to. They have many sandwiches on the menu, they all seemed reasonably priced, about $4 - $6 each. And they sell Mr. Luigi's brand of frozen pastas (love, love, love the gnocchi), and Ferrara Pan candy (same family) such as Lemonheads and Red Hots. Also, metered street parking in front was very easy to find when I was there. read more

My husband and I were trying to find a nice coffee shop while in the area and ran into this delicious little bakery/cafe. The coffee here was pretty decent, much better than Starbucks. The pastries were amazing. I had an a tart and my husband has a torte which were both moist and perfectly flaky. I surveyed the restaurant and stared at all the delicious looking meals, will definitely come back for lunch. Tip: Try the in shop candy, looked absolutely sinful. Weird sidenote: Adorable bathroom. read more

I'd give this place a 3 for the sandwiches, but a 3.5 for the cookies and ambiance...well call it a 3. I love the no frills flavor of this place. Decor is mismatched, and menu options are standard. The Italian sub is ok, not great: it's much better with Parmesan cheese sprinkled in it, which is easy with the old schoolish Parmesan shakers on the tables. The desserts though, are delicious, especially the various butter cookies. I work around this place so I'll be back often I'm sure, and Ill have to get a cannoli next time. read more

Every year my dad would buy me my birthday cake from here growing up. It was the only bakery I knew as a kid...even though I did not grow up in the area. Once in awhile I still go back for their famous signature cannoli cake or strawberry shortcake. I can't believe that the cake tastes the same after all these years....absolutely 'eat the entire cake in one sitting' delicious. I can't get over how light and perfect their frosting is (not too sweet not to bland). Oh and the fresh strawberry filling...beyond yummmm.... I have been to many bakeries and had many cakes in between...but in the end I always compare all of them to Ferrera's....no cake has topped my expectations. read more

I really wanted to like this place. I'm not a perfectionist. I know how hard it is to keep a restaurant. I am very forgiving but I just didn't feel that they gave me what I ordered. I was incredibly unimpressed. I ordered the jardinera chicken sandwich and it was less than okay. It was supposed to include grilled chicken but it was more like boiled, well seasoned, but certainly not grilled. At least the bread was fresh. The pastry I had was a limoncello bar. It had a nice texture but it was not tart, neither was it sweet so that was another disappointment. The staff was friendly and the dining area was clean and the bathrooms were clean too. read more

As a kid, every year I looked forward to my birthday because it meant a cannoli cake from Ferrara! In recent years I've been dissappointed with some of them. It tends to be a little hit or miss. The same with their pastries & cookies. They've been either excellent or blah. Then I resent making the drive all the way down there. read more

Anytime I find myself on Taylor St., the first thing I think of is Ferrera. Immediately the smile begins to spread across my face and I can almost smell the sweet pastry in the air. I think I've eaten everything on the menu and I've never been disappointed. I love sweets. My inner cookie monster is so satisfied after a Ferrera binge. The Chocolate Dip Almond Bars are heavenly. The quality of the chocolate they use for dipping isn't like other bakeries. They don't skimp on the dip and they don't use cheap grade chocolate. All their cookies have the perfect texture. They're firm enough to feel substantial and soft enough that they don't crumble into a million pieces when you bite into them. The Chocolate Cherry Almond Biscotti....oooo....yes. Dip one in your cup of coffee and I guarantee your morning will be brighter! Chocolate Cannoli what a marvelous invention. I could seriously rave on for several pages, but the sentiment would be the same. You just need to stop by and see for yourself. Trust me you won't walk away disappointed. They have a casual set up of tables and chairs which i appreciate, because I can sit right down and eat a few cookies before I head out to the car. So the next time your in Little Italy pop in, you might just find me there. read more

Cannoli, cannoli filled cakes, cannoli filled pastries, biscotti, European cookies, cheesecakes, chocolate covered strawberries, cream or custard filled horns, elephant ears, tiramisu.....do I really need to go on?? The Original Ferrara bakery is conveniently located near the Juvenile Detention Center and the Illinois Medical District. Hahaha, that makes no sense at all. Anywho...it's on Ogden and Taylor. After walking in today, I noticed it has been expanded. There are many more tables to sit at and enjoy some coffee and pastries or one of their Italian dishes. They have racks and racks of cookies, pastries, trays of cannoli, and several kinds of coffee drinks. Oh, check out their website for a full list of pastries.. www.ferrarabakery.com read more

Love this bakery, it's a true taste of the old Taylor St., although most of Taylor has been transformed. I love the aroma as soon as I step in. They do most of their menu items consistently very well. So well that I consistently leave here with a big bag. They have the best Italian sweet selection in the city. The service here is always welcoming and helpful to those not sure of what to buy. I have been coming here for most of my life, and will continue to do so. read more

Fresh, authentic, delicious. Need I say more? Ferraras is such a hidden gem. Prices are great, ranging $5-7 for a sandwich/salad/lunch entree. I love the meatball sandwich and Ferrara Original. Keep meaning to try the lasagna plate one of these days. And then there's desserts...tasty cannoli, cookies, tiramisu, cheesecake, etc. What more could you ask for!? If you live in Chicago (or even if you don't) and you haven't checked out this great Italian fare, you're missing out! read more

We googled best cannolis in town and we ended up here. It's close to my condo and right off of taylor street so we stopped by for lunch. We got 2 sandwiches the Signature and the chicken. The spicy chicken sandwich was great the panini had a nice color and the peppers were delicious. The signature was kinda on the dry side. It reminded me of a dry version of a jimmy john's sandwich. The cannoli was good but had way too much cinnamon and lacked the chocolate chips. We also tried their Napoleon and it had the one day old kinda taste to it. It wasn't crispy but soggy. read more

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Good but not great. The biscotti is light to the point that it disintegrates when it hits coffee. I prefer a heavier biscotti that can get dunked into coffee and still be intact for a bite. Other baked goods are similarly okay. This place is the best thing going in a sort of lackluster neighborhood :/ read more

Their pastry offerings disappoint. I tried the cannoli, which was not great, and a chocolate eclair. The eclair had a ganache that was covered in condensation, suggesting it had been sitting a while. That sentiment was confirmed when I noticed mold on the pastry. I tried the other, non-moldy part and it was just very disappointing. The filling tasted weird, like it had picked up the taste of some non-dessert around it but was somehow tasteless at the same time, and the pastry itself was soggy. Perhaps they are better known for their non-bakery items? read more

This is a bakery with a nice cookie selection. I'm careful now because I've been diagnosed with diabetes. I've enjoyed the lasagna, lentil soup, fazole soup, and sandwiches. My coworkers always buy the candies. read more

The only remaining Italian bakery in Chicago's dwindling Little Italy, Ferrara's is a solid staple for anyone hungry for authentic Italian pastries and savory foods. It's also reliable lunch option for those of us that work in the medical district adjacent to it because most people flock EAST on Taylor st for lunch and don't quite explore the west end of Taylor. Just had their stuffed pepper ($6.50) that comes with a side salad and a piece of bread. Tasty, hearty, and healthy. I also treated myself to their amazing tiramisu (only $3!) and happily glided back to work. read more

1/20 I ordered a cake for my GF birthday. The cannoli cake was really awesome. I opted for no custard with extra whipped cream. Because it was snowing so bad I was really scared they might close early or think I wasn't coming. I was pleased to see that they were still open with my cake ready to go. I did also leave with two pieces of lasagna that was really good. Not phenomenal not amazing but good. One cake two pieces of lasagna for $48....not so bad. Why just A OK? when I called to place my order the first time on wednesday around 10am the girl wasn't sure if I could substitute, wasn't sure about a lot so I had to call back at a later time.... All in all I think I will try them again. read more

I have to admit that I have a HUGE weakness for a good rum baba (baba au rhum), and they are hard to find in Chicago. The summer I worked a block from Ferrara Bakery was a dangerous one... Everyday during lunch, the rum babas in their pastery case called my name. 9/10 times, I caved (that+sitting all day long was bad news for my bathroom scale). The moisy pastry and the creamy filling... yummmmmy! Because they made rum babas, I rarely got anything else, but their italian beef sandwichs were also pretty good. read more

Just a quick review, not much more I can say that hasn't already been posted. Great Italian food and pastries. Good portions and fair prices. Had a nice sized meatball sub for lunch, with a bag of chips, pop and of course desert, all for about $10. Cannot say enough about how good the pastries are here.. Don't walk out with out trying something sweet. read more

I stopped in here on a whim because I needed a java fix while waiting for someone. This is a very old school place, but with new school prices. It's obviously got that nostalgic draw going on - I could just imagine tiny, lil Italian woman ordering bread and sweets, barely seeing over the counter. So, I ordered one cream puff, one cherry turnover and a coffee. 7 bones! Ouch. Okay, so I am a lil cheapish. The cream puff was yuck. Whipped cream instead of custard. Not good. The turnover appear to have a pizza crust-like base to it, and was not at all light. Kind of bland. Meh. I will try it again sometime. read more

I love this place the cookies amazing cake yummy! Years of coming here always one happy customer read more

Ferrara Original - Been coming here all my life - Bakeries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Best Bakery Ever! I could not understand some of the comments because I have always had a great experience here. I have been coming here since I was a little kid and there has always been delicious food, and great service. When ever I go in I am immediately greeted and helped. I have never been disappointed in anything I ordered (although I do stick to the Italian staples). I would also disagree that this is a "bad area" it is right by the medical district and the bakery is only open during the day... I think you will be safe. I still have yet to try any of the meals they serve. read more